Paiva handed mission impossible at Fortaleza | OneFootball

Fortaleza have confirmed the appointment of Renato Paiva as their new head coach, with the Portuguese manager signing a deal until December 2026, according to NE45 and Diário do Nordeste. Paiva steps in following the dismissal of Juan Pablo Vojvoda after the club’s poor start to the 2025 Série A campaign, which sees Fortaleza sitting second from bottom with only 10 points from 13 matches.

Paiva, 55, will be joined in Ceará by his regular assistants Ricardo Dionísio and Miguel Santos, along with goalkeeping coach Rui Tavares. The Fortaleza hierarchy prioritised a candidate with recent experience in Brazilian football and a working knowledge of the league’s challenges, as CEO Marcelo Paz explained: “We wanted a professional who already knew Série A—its opponents, logistics, refereeing, and the competition format.”

A product of the Benfica academy system, Paiva’s managerial career has included a title-winning spell at Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, as well as appointments at Club León and Toluca in Mexico. He entered Brazilian football with Bahia in 2023, where he won the Baiano state championship but could not avoid a slide toward the relegation zone, prompting his departure after 49 matches (19 wins, 15 draws, 15 defeats).

His most recent job was at Botafogo, managing 23 matches with a record of 12 wins, three draws, and eight losses—a win rate just under 57%. Notably, his tenure included a memorable 1-0 Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint Germain. However, elimination by Palmeiras in the tournament’s round of 16 ended his time in Rio.

Paiva is recognised for a flexible, position-based tactical set-up, influenced by European methodologies but adapted to the realities of South American squads. He has previously stressed the importance of numerical superiority in different zones, explaining, “It’s not rigid—width can be provided by the winger, interior, or full-back. Everything comes down to the qualities of your players in each phase.” At Bahia and Botafogo, adaptation to his methods required time, so he’s expressed willingness in Fortaleza to adjust to the squad and context, given their urgent need for points.

The immediate challenge at Fortaleza extends beyond just results. The club’s squad has seen little reinforcement and continues to manage injury absences, and restoring confidence is as critical as redefining on-pitch identity. While his tactical work has been praised by colleagues and technical staff, both at Bahia and Botafogo, relationships with supporters proved more complicated, often shaped by expectations and results.

Paiva was presented with clarity about the club’s aim—above all, avoiding relegation. Addressing the media on arrival, he said, “What brings me here is a very proud project, and the greatness of the club. I won’t be replacing Vojvoda, I’ll make my own history, and I hope it’s a happy one for the supporters.”

Paiva led his first training session at Alcides Santos on Thursday, with his debut expected against Bahia at the weekend. The club’s rapid move underlines the urgency of their situation, with all eyes now on whether Paiva can inspire an immediate upturn in form and lay foundations for longer-term progress.